After the rains

On a beautiful sunny day I persuaded the family that a trip up into the mountain would be an excellent idea. A picnic was created and packed into the car 'fridge - I pack all the ingredients for sandwiches and let everyone create their own once it is lunch time. Since the temperature was rising and the sun bright I reasoned that most people would either be heading to the beaches or to the theme parks. (This place is a holiday playground with several fun parks). I was right. There were plenty of parking bays free at Purlingbrook Falls and we were able to park right beside the track leading to the Lookout. Madi (short for Madison) is a 12 year old boy and was the only one of the party not to have a camera so I dug out the Samsung from my bottomless handbag and he had a wonderful time with it and was so thrilled to be able to take pictures that I told him were good. He was my shadow for much of the day! He learned how to take Macro shots and became quite excited when his attempts started to give good results.
We were slower than the rest of our party and were lucky enough to see some people aiming a camera into the undergrowth. We discovered the attraction to be a black skink or "land mullet" - a magnificent large one.

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This glossy black lizard was approximately 500mm from nose to tip of tail. Much bigger than any I had ever seen previously. Madi discovered the advantage to a zoom on a still camera and he managed to get some lovely shots of this lizard. I was using the 18-55mm lens so he was thrilled to be able to take closer shots than I could!

After viewing the falls from the front and seeing the wonderful long drop of water - so dramatic after all the rain we have had - we walked around to see the falls from the other side - not a big walk - and had to paddle over the footpath because the head of the falls was so full it had spilled over the track. I showed Madi how to get low to get a more interesting shot of the racing water.

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After capturing many beautiful tiny creatures as well as dozens of lovely water and bush pictures we made our way to another lovely waterfall right at the end of the mountain road at a place we know as the "English Country Garden" because of a Tudor building beside the parking area for the falls with that name.

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From the lookout besides these falls is a magnificent view right over the tree covered mountain tops.

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I always find that shadows from the clouds make the hillsides even more attractive. The sky looked beautiful today.
After our picnic I wandered around with my camera and although leaving the tracks in National Park is forbidden I broke the rules and stepped over the garden weeds and discovered this beautiful but hidden delight.

f/5.6 1/60 ISO 640 55mm

This amazing display would have gone unseen by anyone if I had not ventured into the undergrowth! All that could be seen from the track was a pale top on an old stump that could not be identified as anything special. I was careful not to crush anything precious and walked back to the track in my own indentations. But, as I mentioned, since the vegetation I stepped on was introduced from gardens I really did not feel guilty!!
AJ

A true traveller

There are so many things I could tell you about – each day is filled with new experiences and sights and I really should write everything down. But we passed a very special individual today and I am sure that you would be really interested to see pictures and hear a little about him.

Unfortunately my driver did not give me time to hop out and really ask questions – and I would really have liked to – so I do not know this man's name.
I had to beg Colin to slow down and stop when I saw something quite unique on the road ahead. I could see two camels pulling a little trailer. I am sure that Colin just sees the road!

I hastily wound down the window and took my first shot.

I asked the net covered man where he was headed “Here and there” he replied in a strong European accent (at a guess, Yugoslavian) “where ever the road leads us and which ever way my camels take me”.

How long have you been on the road? “ Eight years now.”

Do you sleep in your little van? “ Oh no, I sleep in the open next to my camels, the sky is my roof”

And that was all I had time to ask him before my driver put his foot down and took us on our way. Three photographs and three questions – but an impression of a contented person. He was doing what he wanted and he was happy with his lot.

The man had stopped when we pulled alongside him and was happy to talk to me but when the camels both lurched forward together he started again on his slow walk along the road. They must be female camels, they determine when they leave and how long they stop!

AJ

Elly's camel ride

Here is a bit of fun - Elly had her first camel ride on Australia Day and I almost missed it!
With the few seconds of her finishing the ride I have managed to make a 30 second record of the event!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8cKf8PsXs0
I think we should all have chipped in to give Elly another ride - on a camel by herself!
AJ